Comments (3)

This 20 Year Action Plan is Too Long Winded.:
There needs to be An Immediate Remedy, to reduce the potential Risk to Properties from Flooding in the immediate future.
1. Dredge the River Parrett it's entire LENGTH, not as the E Agency are proposing, only to Dredge Either Side of BurrowBridge for so many Metres.

2. The Dutch pumps that are in Situ, should be bought and retained, to be sited Permanently for future needs.With Proper Concrete Bases/Platforms.
As, it is certain that the Seasonal Heavy Rains that we have Suffered for the last 2 years! as 1/100 Exceptional, obviously were NOT. exceptional, but look more to be the norm!!!

3. The responsibility for future! River Management, MUST be re designated to the consortium of drainage boards! from the E Agency.
Along with the Funding, to enable proper Rivers and Land Management Strategy.for the sustainable future, in Somerset. With each Major River in the County, having proportional Funding Allocation. To ensure, monies are spent where needed.

4. Lord Chris Smith Quango Chairman, who under his Chairmanship, has allowed the E A to lose its purpose and Direction. Re the policy, of NON DREDGING and the entire Upper Management of the Environment Agency, to be Disbanded, within the 1500 jobs that were announced in January from the Agency.
Not the actual Engineers, on the flood Zone Area's, who have worked tirelessly, throughout this CRISIS.

5. A clear action plan to work with landowners and farmers, over the future of the Moors and levels! along with the Designated Flood plains! with in Somerset.

6. All new Major House Building to have, Water Storage Capture, of Rain fall, for recycling within the Properties, surfaces to be more Semi Porous, on Hardstanding surrounding properties.

7. More maintenance of the Highway Culverts, with more frequent, cleansing of Gullies and waterways.
Construction of Storm Drains where appropriate, for excessive flood water, to be dispersed into water storage lagoons.

8. A better working Partnership, between parties! especially breaking down the Existing working practice that is The SCC and E Agencies, refusal to listen to interested parties, who also, can add to the Knowledge.
( For over 10 years, as a former SDC Member, was totally ignored when asking,for the Rivers To be Dredged. In Particular the River Parrett. As constantly I was told Dredging could not take place as the Silt was contaminated, LIES EVIDENTLY Now, it comes to light ????? !!!!!!

David l Preece
07802 445187
Blue -Owl

This 20 Year Action Plan is Too Long Winded.:
There needs to be An Immediate Remedy, to reduce the potential Risk to Properties from Flooding in the immediate future.
1. Dredge the River Parrett it's entire LENGTH, not as the E Agency are proposing, only to Dredge Either Side of BurrowBridge for so many Metres.
2. The Dutch pumps that are in Situ, should be bought and retained, to be sited Permanently for future needs.With Proper Concrete Bases/Platforms.
As, it is certain that the Seasonal Heavy Rains that we have Suffered for the last 2 years! as 1/100 Exceptional, obviously were NOT. exceptional, but look more to be the norm!!!
3. The responsibility for future! River Management, MUST be re designated to the consortium of drainage boards! from the E Agency.
Along with the Funding, to enable proper Rivers and Land Management Strategy.for the sustainable future, in Somerset. With each Major River in the County, having proportional Funding Allocation. To ensure, monies are spent where needed.
4. Lord Chris Smith Quango Chairman, who under his Chairmanship, has allowed the E A to lose its purpose and Direction. Re the policy, of NON DREDGING and the entire Upper Management of the Environment Agency, to be Disbanded, within the 1500 jobs that were announced in January from the Agency.
Not the actual Engineers, on the flood Zone Area's, who have worked tirelessly, throughout this CRISIS.
5. A clear action plan to work with landowners and farmers, over the future of the Moors and levels! along with the Designated Flood plains! with in Somerset.
6. All new Major House Building to have, Water Storage Capture, of Rain fall, for recycling within the Properties, surfaces to be more Semi Porous, on Hardstanding surrounding properties.
7. More maintenance of the Highway Culverts, with more frequent, cleansing of Gullies and waterways.
Construction of Storm Drains where appropriate, for excessive flood water, to be dispersed into water storage lagoons.
8. A better working Partnership, between parties! especially breaking down the Existing working practice that is The SCC and E Agencies, refusal to listen to interested parties, who also, can add to the Knowledge.
( For over 10 years, as a former SDC Member, was totally ignored when asking,for the Rivers To be Dredged. In Particular the River Parrett. As constantly I was told Dredging could not take place as the Silt was contaminated, LIES EVIDENTLY Now, it comes to light ????? !!!!!!
David l Preece
07802 445187
Blue -OwlBlue Owl

Blimey Owlie and you think the 20 point plan is long winded? How come you are such an expert on water drainage have you got an engineering back ground or actually technical knowledge of the subject matter? Having read numerous articles and watched a number of documentaries about this matter the one common theme is that dredging would have little or no impact on the level or flooding experienced once again you are parrotting your pal ILG's pro dredging and anti EA poliitcal line conveniently forgetting his part in the slashing of the EA's budget. Yes clearly underfunding has resulted in less maintenance which must have contributed in part to the excessive retention of water but lets not forget a 250 year record rainfall and no one can say they remember the last time it rained like this. Lastly I note you missed the need for a Parrett Barrier which if it incorporated hydro electric output would kill two birds with one stone but maybe too obvious.

Blimey Owlie and you think the 20 point plan is long winded? How come you are such an expert on water drainage have you got an engineering back ground or actually technical knowledge of the subject matter? Having read numerous articles and watched a number of documentaries about this matter the one common theme is that dredging would have little or no impact on the level or flooding experienced once again you are parrotting your pal ILG's pro dredging and anti EA poliitcal line conveniently forgetting his part in the slashing of the EA's budget. Yes clearly underfunding has resulted in less maintenance which must have contributed in part to the excessive retention of water but lets not forget a 250 year record rainfall and no one can say they remember the last time it rained like this. Lastly I note you missed the need for a Parrett Barrier which if it incorporated hydro electric output would kill two birds with one stone but maybe too obvious.Bridgy old Boy

Just what gives you the right to criticise my post, I laid out some fundamental points that I believe, need to be part of a Solution, short term and in the Medium term, you accuse me of peddling ILG views, ie dredging and anti E Agency, to true I am,Parroting, you said, Oh How Hilaryarse !!! Must have taken you ages to Pun that one,!!!. No I have no engineering background, nor Hydro, but I have been involved in the meetings @ SCC / EAgency over a 8 year period, do not remember seeing yourself @ any of those Meetings, in your Capacity, as " Bridgwater Mr Know -It -All......
Your stance that, dredging is ineffective, so you read !!!!!, well that is why, I and all the residents of the flooded villages will disagree with you, if the environment agency, had dredged, after last years Floods, back to the 1960 levels, @90-95% of Capacity, instead of the 65% as it currently! is !then the Parrett, would have been able to disperse more water. The E Agency, have wasted Vast sums, on Wetlands , bird Sancturies, habitats for Beetles, forgetting their Remit, which is to Properly Manage the Water Courses, their mismanagement, of their Brief, is responsible for The Budget, needing to be Cut, £17 million, spent on Vehicles, etc.
They are still, saying that Dredging is not the answer, well talk to the Farmers , the Land Owners, the Consortium of Drainage Boards, they Agree that the River needs to be dredged the entire length, not just xxxMetres either side of BurrowBridge,itself.

Of course, the Bridgwater Barrage,/ is on the Wish list, but that will not be fundable if out of the £97 Million Estimated 20 year Plan, Submitted by SCC.
They are to raise the A361 and the Aller to Othery Roads, !!!!! Sort the Rivers out and the Excess water Managment, the roads will not need to raised.
Just how much do you, knowitall estimate the Cost of a Barrage, with or without a road on to take the EDF Hinkley Traffic.?????
The Levy on all new Housing, in Sedgemoor over the last 5 years or so, ring fenced, is so far no where enough, those monies are to be refunded, if a Barrage is not constructed in 10 years.
SCC, can not even build the Bridge from Taunton Road into Colley Lane, now 6years overdue.....Blue- Owl
David L Preece

Just what gives you the right to criticise my post, I laid out some fundamental points that I believe, need to be part of a Solution, short term and in the Medium term, you accuse me of peddling ILG views, ie dredging and anti E Agency, to true I am,Parroting, you said, Oh How Hilaryarse !!! Must have taken you ages to Pun that one,!!!. No I have no engineering background, nor Hydro, but I have been involved in the meetings @ SCC / EAgency over a 8 year period, do not remember seeing yourself @ any of those Meetings, in your Capacity, as " Bridgwater Mr Know -It -All......
Your stance that, dredging is ineffective, so you read !!!!!, well that is why, I and all the residents of the flooded villages will disagree with you, if the environment agency, had dredged, after last years Floods, back to the 1960 levels, @90-95% of Capacity, instead of the 65% as it currently! is !then the Parrett, would have been able to disperse more water. The E Agency, have wasted Vast sums, on Wetlands , bird Sancturies, habitats for Beetles, forgetting their Remit, which is to Properly Manage the Water Courses, their mismanagement, of their Brief, is responsible for The Budget, needing to be Cut, £17 million, spent on Vehicles, etc.
They are still, saying that Dredging is not the answer, well talk to the Farmers , the Land Owners, the Consortium of Drainage Boards, they Agree that the River needs to be dredged the entire length, not just xxxMetres either side of BurrowBridge,itself.
Of course, the Bridgwater Barrage,/ is on the Wish list, but that will not be fundable if out of the £97 Million Estimated 20 year Plan, Submitted by SCC.
They are to raise the A361 and the Aller to Othery Roads, !!!!! Sort the Rivers out and the Excess water Managment, the roads will not need to raised.
Just how much do you, knowitall estimate the Cost of a Barrage, with or without a road on to take the EDF Hinkley Traffic.?????
The Levy on all new Housing, in Sedgemoor over the last 5 years or so, ring fenced, is so far no where enough, those monies are to be refunded, if a Barrage is not constructed in 10 years.
SCC, can not even build the Bridge from Taunton Road into Colley Lane, now 6years overdue.....Blue- Owl
David L PreeceBlue Owl